It’s always a fun experience to see a world premiere of a new musical. While I love watching the reliable favorites like The Music Man or Les Miserables it’s fun to see something at its start and then to follow it as it grows and changes and maybe like last year’s Shucked gets a broadway debut. It is this new adventure that made me jump for the chance to see the world premiere of Hans Christian Andersen in New York at Hale Center Theatre in Sandy.

This show is compiled from music and lyrics by Frank Loesser who famously composed Broadway classics like Guys and Dolls. In 1952 he composed the music for the film Hans Christian Andersen starring Danny Kaye. Now with the blessing of the Loesser family composer Paul Blake has put together the songs from the film and other Loesser classics into a new show about Hans Christian Andersen’s great nephew who puts on a Christmas show to save his family’s failing bookstore.

The strengths of this show are in the song and dance- particularly in the 2nd half. “How’d You Like to Love Me” is bubbly and fun, and “I Don’t Wanna Walk Without You” and “Dancing on a Dime” are catchy. Also “What Are You Doin’ New Year’s Eve” is a classic for a reason. The child performers are all charming and sweet and the costumes by La Beene add just the right touch without going overboard.

The talent is also outstanding as is always the case with Hale. I had the MWF cast which included Alex King as Hans and Korianne Johnson as Bunny. There is also a live band which is very rare at Hale but added a lot to the overall performance (music director Rob Moffat.)

Where the production doesn’t work as well is in Blake’s book. The conflict is underwhelming and it feels like nothing compelling is happening on stage except for the Loesser songs. Some characters like a mail-lady who comes in and out delivering Sears catalogs seem completely unnecessary to the story. Even a ghost of Hans Christian Andersen is given almost nothing to do and spends most of the musical watching events unfold but having no power to become involved himself.

Hopefully as they keep working on the show they will make the book more absorbing. As it currently stands it drags and it feels like watching a cute school recital for kids and not a Broadway show about adults. Still, the bones are there for something fun and like I said I’m glad I saw it and will continue to see how it grows as a musical.

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